As we have written about earlier, one of the charities we have chosen this year, The Somaly Mam Foundation, rescues girls and young women who are being sex trafficked in Southeast Asia. However, what many people don’t realize is that this is a problem that exists not just “over there,” in some remote part of the world, but right here, in our own back yard.

Mothers…we are them, we have them…sometimes more than one! And while many deride the annual Mother’s Day celebrations around the world as a “Hallmark holiday,” we at Curves for Change certainly do not. Every human being on this earth has a mother and these wonderful, inspiring and yes…sometimes challenging(!) women in our lives need to be celebrated not just once a year, but every day. Whether spelled Mom or Mam, love for her is universal.

In 2012, Curves for Change will be working to further the mission of Somaly Mam Foundation. Through education and empowerment of women, and through rescue resources, we can unite to make the world safer for women and children globally. continue reading…

Somaly Mam does not know her real name. She does not know when she was born, nor who her real parents are. But she knows this: that life is love, and she has given her life to rescuing and rehabilitating victims of modern-day slavery.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Somaly Mam Foundation. You’ll be hearing more about our empowerment of their mission as the year goes on.

Komera Project is a C4C Unity recipient in 2010. Using our platform brought a voice to their cause.

From Margaret Butler, Komera Co-Founder and President:

“C4C has not only been an incredible support to the Komera Project, but also embodies our organizational beliefs: standing up for women’s rights and empowerment around the world. They are passionate women who are focused on making a positive difference – we could not have a better partner.”

As we look ahead to our partnerships for 2012, we reflect on the results of 2011. Thanks to everyone for uniting to help girls in 38 countries through this small organization, Hardy Girls Healthy Women.

A report from Megan Williams, President at HGHW:

We’ve been so grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Curves for Change. Thanks to their fundraising and outreach efforts, we’ve raised the visibility of Hardy Girls Healthy Women in New York City and with the funds donated to Hardy Girls, 22 low-income girls have participated in one of Hardy Girls’ Girls’ Coalition Groups for free where they’ve learned to trust one another and do social activism.

Hardy Girls, Healthy Women is or second choice for platform awareness in 2010. A non-profit organization whose vision is that all girls and women experience equality, safety, and independence in their everyday lives, their mission is to develop programs, provide resources and create opportunities for girls and women that empower them.

HGHW actively listens to girls’ thoughts and opinions regarding the messages they absorb from our culture and the media, supporting their needs for something that better reflects their own realities — more diverse bodies, abilities and interests.

The Komera Project is one of the Curves for Change benefactors. The project is a not-for-profit organization that advances secondary education in Rwanda by providing both mentorship and financial support to girls for whom secondary education is otherwise not possible. It is founded on the understanding that as girls continue their education, they improve their earning potential, their health and their sense of self-worth thereby enabling them to break the bonds of poverty.

The Komera Project also engages students in the US. Students can participate in achieving the Komera mission through their Run to Rwanda curriculum, an interactive program of educational materials and sponsored runs/walks.

“You will never break the cycle of poverty or disease without educating girls. It won’t happen” -Paul Farmer, Founder, Partners in Health